The Port Authority of Vigo says that this increase in volume shows how attractive the markets of the Port are to international companies selling their products.
However, the Port Authority warns that although the global numbers are positive, when speaking about the fishing commercialised at the Port, the difficult financial situation that companies are living through cannot be forgotten. This is why the Port Authority says it needs to make a major effort to offer its companies first class infrastructure, accompanied by innovation and development to reduce costs and improve management.
The Port Authority is currently developing several projects aimed at improving the sustainability of fishing while ensuring that the profitability of the sector is not reduced. Prototypes have been developed for evaluating the organic residues caused by fishing.
As for infrastructure development, the Port Authority, in collaboration with the Galician government, is making an economic effort with the aim of providing companies with the best conditions to facilitate the hygienic and sanitary discharge and selling of fish. For example, replacing or improving doors to guarantee that the cold chain is not ruptured; paving improvements; and installing video surveillance to increase safety inside the fishing facilities.
The Port Authority says that it will be trying over the coming years to support companies in their work and making use of the national and international image of the Port to promote it and obtain further business opportunities.
An event of such magnitude and importance as the World Fishing Exhibition is regarded as a 'shop window' by the Port and its operators and the Port Authority says it is an excellent opportunity to promote the image of the Port and establish contacts with other international markets.
The Port Authority says that providing consumers with a guarantee that fish coming through the Port of Vigo is quality fish is of great importance. Therefore, the Port Authority has been pioneering the implementation of certificates UNE-EN-ISO 9001 (quality), UNE-EN-ISO 14001 (environment) and OSAS 18001 (prevention of labour risks). Companies that use the Port will have the advantage of these recognised and internationally approved certifications.
The Port Authority says that it is aware of the need to boost the use and application of new technology, and is using electronic systems for auction, each one tailored to the needs of each market. The Port Authority has introduced an electronic system for weighing at the auction and it intends to establish a communications system that enables individual users and operators to share common resources and obtain information specific to each stakeholder. It will also include integrated systems for weighing and data capture transactions through PDAs and the distribution of information to users via intranet deployed in the area of operation.
In the last year the Port Authority has focussed on an electronic system for the auction of frozen fish, which allows participation in auction without actual physical presence in the room, for example, from across the intranet or extranet, from the offices of the operators and users who are registered and authorised. This system is growing in importance, especially for selling big fish such as swordfish. The Port of Vigo has implemented a novel system, with screens in the markets and in areas of interest, which show the selling prices of the markets of the whole world. With this the operators of the Port can compare the prices of Vigo with the rest of the world, and make use of business opportunities, in buying fish and in international commercialisation.
